About us

Company history

In Hungary, the employment of people with disabilities is not a recent idea, because as early as in 1826 a program was created for the establishment of an institution in Pest to "afford assistance and relief to all the misfortunate sons of our motherland.” These institutions were involved in care for the blind, and later in their education and vocational training. Similar efforts were made for the deaf and people with other hearing impairments. In the 1940s, in Budapest and countrywide tailors, dressmakers, leather workers, carpet weavers could still perform their activities independently.

Key milestones

From the 1950s

the companies engaging the blind and other people with impaired vision were transformed into independent county-based entities, while their operating profiles were gradually broadened. The cooperatives called "District KÉZMŰ” entities were formed.

1953.

Fővárosi Kézműipari Vállalat (Metropolitan Handicraft Company) – the Council consolidated the handicraft cooperatives operating in the districts of Budapest and nationwide into a single company.

1978.

As a large national company, KÉZMŰ had more than ten thousand workers to produce articles in the aggregate value of one and a half billion Hungarian Forints at that time, more than HUF 600 million worth of export. The "Excellent Company" title was awarded. 80% of the employees had reduced ability to work.

1991.

Winding up the national commission work network and the transfer of the office building in Csömöri Street.

2006.

Re-merger of the Jeanette Dress-Making Company into KÉZMŰ. KÉZMŰ was restructured as a private company limited by shares. Combination of the seven factory units into four entities – the establishment of the Mixed, Winner, Jeanette and Leatherwork factory units.

2009.

Adoption of a non-for-profit corporate legal form.

2012.

Launching the priority TÁMOP-5.3.8. project for the initiation of professional, IT-related and mental hygienic educations with the involvement of 27 operating sites. After being preferred in the design competition of uniforms for the Hungarian Olympic Committee, KÉZMŰ could make the uniforms for the Olympic Games.

2013.

Obtainment of the Rehabilitation Accreditation Certificate and qualification as a Protected Workshop.